MVP wrote:
> Powering a Laptop.
> My Laptop (acer), according to the info on the mains adapter, runs on
> 19v DC.
> Questions...
>
> What are the chances it's be happy on 14vDC (which is the voltage
> accross my battery 99% of the time)?
Not good.
> If it'll be happy with 14vDC would the delivery of it in a cars
> electrical system be nice and smooth enough?
There can be very nasty transients on it.
>
> If it'll not be happy with 14vDC how easy is it to find a 1:1.357
> ratio transformer to step-up the voltage?
>
> And would that work?
> ................................................................

steve Taylor wrote:
> MVP wrote:
>
>>Powering a Laptop.
>>My Laptop (acer), according to the info on the mains adapter, runs on
>>19v DC.
>>Questions...
>>
>>What are the chances it's be happy on 14vDC (which is the voltage
>>accross my battery 99% of the time)?
>
> Not good.
>
>
>>If it'll be happy with 14vDC would the delivery of it in a cars
>>electrical system be nice and smooth enough?
>
> There can be very nasty transients on it.
>
>>If it'll not be happy with 14vDC how easy is it to find a 1:1.357
>>ratio transformer to step-up the voltage?
>>
>>And would that work?
>>................................................................
>
> No, you can't use transformers for DC !
>
> You can get laptop in-car PSUs from Maplin
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...6989&doy=22m9D
>
> Steve

Alternatively use an simple inverter (Maplins have several) and use it
to power your normal mains adaptor. This is potentially more flexible
than the dedicated laptop PSU as it can also power other mains apparatus.

On Thu, 22 Sep 2005 18:39:04 +0100, MVP <mr.nice@*nospam*softhome.net>
wrote:
>Powering a Laptop.
>My Laptop (acer), according to the info on the mains adapter, runs on
>19v DC.
>Questions...
>
>What are the chances it's be happy on 14vDC (which is the voltage
>accross my battery 99% of the time)?
>
>If it'll be happy with 14vDC would the delivery of it in a cars
>electrical system be nice and smooth enough?
>
>If it'll not be happy with 14vDC how easy is it to find a 1:1.357
>ratio transformer to step-up the voltage?
>
>And would that work?
>
>The output of the mains transformer is 3.42A by the way, so the
>current draw of a transformer for 14-19v would be 3.88A.
>
>Anything here I've missed folks? or am I completely off my rocker
>here?

Yes. Go and buy a small inverter to power the mains adaptor. It solves
all your problems and also prevents nasty spikes from your car
electrical system killing the laptop internal PSU.

In news:oup5j1dilbqdbrgsj5thfvile9g6oe3kbt@4ax.com,
MVP <mr.nice@*nospam*softhome.net> blithered:
> Powering a Laptop.
> My Laptop (acer), according to the info on the mains adapter, runs on
> 19v DC.
> Questions...
>
> What are the chances it's be happy on 14vDC (which is the voltage
> accross my battery 99% of the time)?
>
> If it'll be happy with 14vDC would the delivery of it in a cars
> electrical system be nice and smooth enough?
>
> If it'll not be happy with 14vDC how easy is it to find a 1:1.357
> ratio transformer to step-up the voltage?
>
> And would that work?
>
> The output of the mains transformer is 3.42A by the way, so the
> current draw of a transformer for 14-19v would be 3.88A.
>
> Anything here I've missed folks? or am I completely off my rocker
> here?

Think the answer to all your questions is unfortunately no.

It is unlikely to be happy with a mere 14V if it is anticipating 19.
You can't 'transform' DC, only AC.
For DC you need and invertor, I don't see why such a beast shouldn't do 14 up to
19, however acquiring one might be a bit of a challenge.
Dunno what Maplin do in that line. It might be easier to get one that produces
240V AC from 12V DC and drive your AC adapter from that, them's more common and
more readily available from the likes of Maplin. They might even be available from
your caravan/camper suppliers.

As to your last statement, you post in alt.fan.landrovers and you need to ask?

On Thu, 22 Sep 2005 18:39:04 +0100, MVP <mr.nice@*nospam*softhome.net>
wrote:
>Powering a Laptop.
>My Laptop (acer), according to the info on the mains adapter, runs on
>19v DC.
>Questions...
>
>What are the chances it's be happy on 14vDC (which is the voltage
>accross my battery 99% of the time)?
>
>If it'll be happy with 14vDC would the delivery of it in a cars
>electrical system be nice and smooth enough?
>
>If it'll not be happy with 14vDC how easy is it to find a 1:1.357
>ratio transformer to step-up the voltage?
>
>And would that work?
>
>The output of the mains transformer is 3.42A by the way, so the
>current draw of a transformer for 14-19v would be 3.88A.
>
>Anything here I've missed folks? or am I completely off my rocker
>here?

On or around Thu, 22 Sep 2005 19:42:02 +0100, "Lee_D"
<newsgroupNOSPAM@NOSPAMlrproject.com> enlightened us thusly:
>I lied...we blew a fuse trying to run too much off the ciggy socket. Fitted
>an Additional socket for the Kids in the back and been fine since.

fuse that feeds the faglightersocket in Edward keeps blowing, I reckon
metallic stuff creeps up behind the socket in the dash tray and shorts it
out, but I've never caught it in the act.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
Appearances: You don't really need make-up. Celebrate your authentic
face by frightening people in the street.
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.

Well, actually this is not entirely true. You can buy what is called DC-DC
converters That will do exactly that. We have some mobile robots running
on 12V equipped with such converters that do produce 24V (out of the 12V)
to power fairly power hungry equipment (big laser range scanners).

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